Apparatus for feeding and stemming fruit



E. C. COON-S EEARATJS .FOR FEEDING AND STEMMING FRUIT Gignal Filed April 8, 1940 3 5119915.31991; 1

ATTORNEY 3m 4, w46, B, C, @QCNS 2,491,463

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND STEMMING FRI-JIT Original Filed April 8. 1940 3 sheetsheet 2 vanun ATTORNEY B. C. COQNS APPARATUS FOR-FEEDING AND STEMMING FRUIT Original Filed April 8, 1940 3l Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToR BURTo/y C. 60o/v5 @MW q ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1946 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND STEMIWIG FRUIT Burton C. Coons, San Jose, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery Corporation, San Josie, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Original application April 8, 1940, Serial No.

328,479. Divided and this application November 30, 1942, Serial No. 467,319

The present invention relates to apparatus for feeding, stemming and orienting fruit such as cherries or the like.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 328,479, led April 8, 1940, for Method and apparatus for pitting fruit.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for feeding, stemming and orienting cherries in an eicient and speedy manner.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for feeding and stemming cherries Without mutilating the fruit.

Another object is to provide a feeding and stemming apparatus for cherry pitting machines which includes means for depositing the stemmed fruit into fruit holding means of va pitting machine in centered relation with respect thereto.

Another object is to provide a cherry feeding and stemming device for stemming cherries and for depositing the stemmed cherries in predetermined position into fruit holding means.

Other and further-objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the feeding and stemming apparatus of the present invention illustrating it as it may be applied to a cherry pitting machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 1 taken along lines 3-3 thereof, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the mounting of the turret associated with the feeding and stemming mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the feed mechanism which includes the stem-ming mechanism and the fruit centering device, certain parts being shown in section. Y v

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of Fig. 5 taken along lines 6--6 thereof certain parts being omitted.

Fig. 'l is a side elevation of the feed mechanism illustrating the position of the parts thereof during the stemming operation.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of Fig. 5, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View of certain parts of the feed and stemming mechanism illustrating the stem of a cherry in locked position preparatory to the stemming operation.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan `vievv of one 4of the fruit centering members of the feed mechanism;

24 Claims. (Cl. 14S-55) and centering devices.

lso

The cherry pitting machine (see Figs. 1 and 2) in connection With which the feeding and stemming apparatus of the present invention has ybeen illustrated consists of a turret A, provided with fruit holding and supporting means, a feed mechanism B, which includes stemming and centering devices, a pitting mechanism C, a reshaping mechanism D and an ejector mechanism F, all of which are operated in timed relation relative to each other by a single source of motive power.

The cherries which are manually inserted in the feed mechanism Bv are stripped from the stems and oriented incident to the stemming operation, and are thereupon deposited into the fruit holding and supporting means of the turret A in accurately centered position. During the rotation ofthe turret A, the fruit received and supported thereby is presented to the pitting mechanism C for removal of the pit thereof, and, subsequently, to the reshaping mechanism D for reshaping the fruit to restore its original and attractive appearance. Finally, the turret A presents the pitted and reshaped fruit to the ejector or the discharge mechanism F, which effects the discharge of the finished product from the machine.

The framestructure of the cherry pitting machine in connection with which the feeding and stemming apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated herein comprises a base l (see Fig. 1) vprovided with a standard 2 and a supporting bracket 3, upon which an electricV motor 4, provided with a drive shaft 5 and a sprocket wheel 6, is mounted in any convenient manner.

Supported upon the standard 2 and fixed with respect thereto is `a spider structure l, consisting, of a hexagonal central body portion 8 and a plurality of horizontally extending spider arms 9, l0 and Il.

The spider arms 9, I0 and H extend in radial directions from the body portion 8 and are provided With vertically extending portions Il, i8 and I 9 respectively.

The radiallyY extending arm 9 of the spider structure l supports the feed mechanism B of the machine which also includes fruit stemming The arm l0 carries the pitting mechanism generally indicated at C, while the arm Il supports the reshaping mechanism D of the machine.

The ejector mechanism F is likewise carried by the 'spider structure l, by means of a supporting Abracket 20 attached to the hexagonal body portion 8, as will be seen from Fig. 1.

-The vertical portion Il of the spider arm 9 is provided with a bearing 25, Within which one end of a horizontally disposed main drive shaft 26 is positioned. The other end of the shaft 26 is received within a bearing of the hexagonal body portion 8 of the spider structure 1. The main drive shaft 26 carries a sprocket wheel 21 fixed thereto, and a drive chain 28 trained around the sprocket wheels 6 and 21 is provided for imparting rotation to the shaft 26 upon operation of the motor 4.

The upper portion of the hexagonal member of the spider 1 carries a stationary stud shaft 46 (see Fig. 4), comprising a lower portion 41 and an upper portion 48 of reduced diameter. Carried by a flange 49, formed between the stud shaft portions i1 and 48 above referred to, is a roller bearing 59 adapted to support the turret A, and an index plate 52 interconnected therewith by means of screws 53. The turret A and index plate 52 are rotatably positioned upon the upper end 48 of the stud shaft 46, and are held in place by means of a screw 515, a metal washer 55, and a washer of resilient material 55, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The turret A consists of a circular table 51 provided with a hub 58, and a plurality of fruit holding and supporting cups 59, mounted upon the upper face of the table 51. These cups are arranged in rectilinear groups positioned along chords of the circle defined by the table 51. Adjacent series of fruit supporting cups 59 are disposed with respect to each other at an angle of 60 degrees, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The interior portion 64 of the cups 59 is dished and sufciently large to accommodate cherries of 'l various sizes. The dished portion is further of such a configuration that the cherries placed therein in centered position will remain in such position during the rotation of the turret A. In other words, the dished fruit receiving portion G4 of the cups 59 -iS not exactly semi-circular in f cross section, but somewhat parabolic, so as to exert a slight Awedging action upon the fruit for maintaining the same in proper position therein.

Mounted upon the spider arm 9 intermediatel the vertically extending po-rtion il and the hexagonal portion 8 of the spider structure 1 is a bracket 68 provided with a bearing 69, adapted to receive a shaft 18 provided at its upper end with an index arm 1i' fixed thereto and carrying an index roller '52. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 10 is a bevel gear 13 intermeshing With another beveled gear 14, keyed to the shaft 26. Fixed to shaft 10, and positioned intermediate the index arm 1| and bearing 69 of the bracket 68, is a locking plate (see Figs. l and 3). The locking plate 15 is provided with a cut out portion 16, and is adapted to rotate in unison with the index arm 1|, above referred to.

The index plate 52 comprises arcuate faces 11 and elongated radially extending slots '58. During rotation of the index arm 1| in the direction of arrow 19, in Fig. 3, the roller 1i enters one of the elongated slots 18 and causes rotation of the index plate 52 in the direction of the arrow 99, until the arcuate face 11 following said slot is in alignment with the locking plate 15, and locked by the peripheral face of the same against further rotation. At this time the roller 12 leaves the respective slot 18 and the index plate 52 remains in locked position until the roller i2 enters the next slot 18 of the index plate 52 and causes a further rotation of the same.

It will be observed from Fig. 3 that upon entry of the roller 12 into one of the' elongated slots lil 18 of the index plate 52, the cut-out portion 16 of the locking plate 15 will be in such relation with respect to the index plate 52 that rotation thereof, as referred to hereinbefore, is permitted.

The elongated slots 18 are disposed at' angles of 60 degrees with respect to each other, corresponding to the angular arrangement of the groups of fruit receiving cups 59, and the arcuate faces 11 are disposed intermediate the elongated slots 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In View of the arrangement above described, the index plate 52 as well as the turret A are intermittently rotated, and a corresponding advancement of the fruit holding and supporting cups 59 from the feed mechanism B to the pitting mechanism C, reshaping mechanism D, and ejector F is obtained.

Fixed to the vertically extending portion I1 of the spider arm 9 is a bracket 85 (see Figs. l and 5) which is provided with spaced bearings 86 and 81 (see Fig. 2). Positioned within the bearings 86 and 81 is a shaft 88, held in fixed relation thereto by means of set screws 89. Mounted upon the shaft 88 and xed thereto by means of set screws 99 is a U-shaped bracket 9|, which carries a top or stem supporting plate 92. The forward end of the top plate 92 extends a slight distance over and above the turret A and comprises a plurality of rectangular openings 93, which are in alignment with the cups 59 of the turret A when the same are in fruit receiving positions. The forward ends of these openings are closed by means of U-shaped members 94, (see Figs. 2 and 8). These U-shaped members are secured to the upper surface of the top plate 92 in any convenient manner, and are provided with depending tongue portions 95 (see Figs. 7 and 9), which are of an arcuate contour in vertical direction.

Depending from the lower surface of the top plate 92 are bearing lugs 96, through which a shaft 91. extends in a transverse direction with respect to the top plate -92 and parallel to the fixed shaft 88.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 91 are a plurality of locking arms 98, each one of which is provided with an upwardly and transversely extending hook portion 99, extending through the openings 93 in the top plate 92 when the locking arms are in a position as shown in Fig. 5.

The hook portions 99 of the locking arms 98 are movable in close relation to the depending tongues 95 of the U-shaped members 94. rhe face of each of these hook portions is circumferential in contour about shaft 91, corresponding to the circumferential contour of the depending tongue portion 95 about the same center. The face of each hook portion is further provided with a groove |00 which extends vertically thereof.

Mounted upon the shaft 88 are a plurality of bearing members |05 which are positioned intermediate the bearing brackets 86 and 81. Each of the bearing members |05 is provided with a stripping plate |06, extending over the cups 59 of the turret A when the same are in fruit receiving position. The free ends of the stripping plates |06 are of a V-shaped configuration and are provided with flanged eyelets |01, (see Figs. 9 and 10) disposed at the apex of the V portions thereof. The eyelets |01 of the stripping plates |06 are disposed in centered relation with respect to the cups 59 when the same are in fruit receivmg position, and are provided with an opening `|08 for permitting the insertion of the stem of a cherry therein'.

' mounted upon the shaft |26.

The sides |09 of the V-shaped portions of the stripping plates |06 are tangentially positioned with respect to the outer periphery of the eyelets |01, while the sides I of the V-shaped portions of the stripping plates are tangentially arranged with respect to the inner periphery of the eyelets |01, which forms a central opening I| (see Fig. The tangential faces |09 and IIO, and the entrance openings |08 of the eyelets |01 of adjacent stripping plates |06, are arranged in rel versed position, and the hooks 99 of the locking arms 98 of adjacent stripping plates |06, are

' arranged in opposite positions with respect to each other.

The front portion ||6 of the eyelets |01 adja- V cent the tangential portions |09 of the striiing plates |06 aids materially in keeping the cherry in proper alignment during the centering and stemming operation, in that it prevents the tilting of the cherry during the stemming thereof. In feeding the machine of the present invention, the operators grasp the stems of two pairs of cherries and pull the same into the V portions of adjacent stripping plates |06. The stems are then bent downwardly under the hook portions 99 of the locking arms 98 into a position as shown in Fig. 5. As soon as the stems of the cherries are positioned under the hook portion 99 of the locking arms 98, the fruit will remain suspended as shown in Fig. 5, due to the frictional engagement between the stem and the U-shaped members 94.

Fixed to the bracket 85, previously referred to, is a bearing bracket l I1, within which a shaft ||6 is slidably disposed. Mounted upon the upper end of the shaft I I8 is a plate I I 9, provided with a channel member |20 extending transversely of the stripping plates |06, and provided with a plurality of set screws I2I, one for each stripping plate |06, for adjusting and positioning the stripping plates in fully raised positions, as shown in Fig. 5.

Secured to the plates |I9 and each one of the stripping plates |06 are coil springs |22, tending to force the stripping plates |00 in a downward direction. Each of the stripping members |06 is provided with a depending bearing bracket |26 and an actuating arm I 21, pivotally secured thereto by means of a pivot pin |28. The actuating arms |21 are pivotally attached to the locking' arms 98 by means of pivot pins |29.

The plate I I9, previously referred to, is further provided with a plurality of vertically extending hooks |30, one for each stripping member; each hook |30 being adapted to engage the .pivot pin:

|28 of the actuating arm |21, with which it cooperates.

The lower end of the shaft I I8 carries a roller |35, adapted to ride upon a rotary cam |36, The roller |35 is maintained in proper cooperative relation with the cam |36 by means of a roller guide |31, secured to the rotary cam |36. The cam |36 is provided with a depression |38 and the roller guide |31 functions primarily to insure a positiveA actuation of the stripping plates |06 while the roller |35 travels over the portion |38 of the cam. All of the stripping plates and their associated mechanisms operate in the same manner and therefore the operation of but one stripping plate |06 and its associated parts will be described.

When the parts of the feed mechanism are in the position shown in Fig. 5, with a cherry suspended thereon in the manner previously referred to hereinabove, the hook |30 of each stemming 6 unit is almost in engagement with ,the` pivot pin |28 thereof, and the set screw |2| holds the stripping plate |06 in intimate contact with the lower front edge of the top plate 92whileV spring |22 istending to pull the `stripping plate |06 ina downward direction.

When the cam portion |38, upon rotationmof the'cam |36,`is opposite the roller |35, the shaft II8 will be pulled downwardly by the action of the roller guide |31, imparting a, downward pull upon the stripping plate |06 by means of the hook |30Y and pivot pins |28. The resulting downward vUpon downward movement of the shaft I I8 the n set screw I2| is moved out of supporting contact with the stripping plate |06, and the spring |22 pullsnthe latter in a downward direction the remainder of the distance allotted for its travel.

Since the travel of the hook |30 is always less than the travel of the pivot pin |28, the stripping plate |06 may ,stop at any point in the vicinity of the top of thecup, dependent upon the size of the cherry operated upon.

Incident to the downward movement of the stripping plate |06, the locking arm 98 is also forced downwardly by means of the actuating arm |21, and in view of the fact that-the pivot pin |29 of the actuating arm |21 is positioned nearer tothe shaft S'Ithan the pivot pin |28 to the shaft 88, the locking arm 98 will travel a greater dis-tance in a` downward direction than Y the stripping plate |06.

Two results are obtained by the above arrangement, namely the 1ocking of the stem between the hook portion 99 and the U-shaped member 94 during the stripping of the cherry from rthe stem, and the ejecting of the stem from the vicinity of the feeding station subsequent to the stripping operation.

Referring now to Fig. 9, it will be noted 'that due to the faster travel of the locking arm 98, with respect to the stripping plate |06, the stem of the cherry will be squeezed between opposing faces of the hook 99 and tongue 95, so as to cause the stem of the cherry to enter into the groove I 00 of the hook portion 99, assuring retention-of the straighten any curvature in the stem, and align the stem blossom axis of the fruit substantially coincident to or with the vertical axis of the cup 59, so that proper positioning and centering of the cherry with respect to the cup 59 is obtained.

It should furthermore be noted that the rate of travel of the stripping plate |06 is greater than` the rate of travel of the falling cherry stripped from the stem, so that the fruit will be forced into the cup in proper and accurately centered position, without any possibility of movement thereof relative to the stripping plate during the feeding operation above referred to.

After completion of the stemming operation above described, the continued downward travel of the locking arm 98 releases the stem from its clamped position between the hook portion 99 and the U-shaped member 94, and the hook 99 thereupon forces the stem through the Yopening SB-of the top plate 92. thereby from the feeding ymechanism and may be discharged from the machine :by means of a chute (not shown) in an obvious manner.

An L-shaped spring |40, mounted to the lower face of each top plate 92, and provided with a transversely extending portion IM, may be pref- -erably employed for dislodging the stem from the locking arm 9B to prevent any possibility of pulling the stem back into the opening 93.

After the stemmed cherries have been deposited Y into the group of cups designated 305 (see Fig. 2) the index mechanism of the turret A is operated and effects rotation of the turret A so as to move the group of fruit holding cups 306 to the position as shown at 391 in Fig. 2 and to bring the next group of empty cups 305 into alignment with the feeding and stemming mechanism, whereupon the operation of the feeding and stemming mechanism repeats in the same manner as previously described herein.

In this way the cherries are stemmed and fed in centered position to each group of fruit holding cups 59 during the operation of the pitting machine and are subsequently advanced by the turret A past the pitting mechanism C and the reshaping mechanism D, and are nally discharged from the cups 59 by the ejectormechanism F. Since the construction of these latter devices and their associated operating mechanisms form no part of the present invention, further description thereof herein is deemed unnecessary, but if further details are desired reference is made to my aforementioned co-pending application of which the present application is a division.

I desire it to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular application or precise details of the construction illustrated, but that various applications, modifications and variations may be resorted to Withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention and I deem myself entitled to all such applications, modifications and variations as come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having now described my invention and in what Amanner the same may be used what I claim is new and desire to piotect by Letters 'Patent is:

1. In a fruit handling machine, in combination, an intermittently rotatable turret, individual fruit holding means on the turret, means for engaging the stem of a fruit for holding the latter in suspended position above said fruit holding means, stripping means for engaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, means for moving the stripping means relative to the stem engaging means for stripping the fruit from the stem and for transferring the fruit to the fruit holding means, and means for intermittently rotating said turret in timed relation With respect to the operation of said stripping means.

'2. In a fruit handling machine, in combination, a rotatable turret, individual fruit holding means on the turret,'means for gripping the stem of a fruit for holding the fruit in suspended position above the fruit holding means, stripping means, means operating said stripping means for engaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit for stripping the :fruit from the stem and for transferring the fruit .to .the fruit holding means, means .associated with the stripping The stem is removed v means for centering the fruit with respect to the holding means, means for operating said turret for moving the holding means into alignment with the stripping means in timed relation with respect to the operation of the stripping means,

3. In a fruit handling machine, in combinav tion, a rotatable turret, individuai fruit supporting means carried on said turret, stem gripping means for holding the fruit in suspended positionabove said fruit supporting means, a stripping plate for engaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, fruit centering means on said stripping plate, actuating means for moving'the stripping plate toward said cups for stemming and centering the fruit and for placing of the same into Ysaid supporting vmeans in predetermined position relative thereto, means for operating the turret for moving the fruit supporting means into alignment with vrespect to said stripping plate in timed relation with respect to the operation of said stripping plate.

4. In a fruit handling machine, in combination, a rotatable turret, individual fruit supporting cups carried on said turret, stem gripping means associated with the turret for engaging the stem of a fruit presented thereto for holding the fruit in suspended position above said fruit supporting cups, a stripping plate for Vengaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, actuatingv means for moving the stripping plate into stripping engagement with the fruit for removing the latter from the stem thereof and for placing the fruit into said cups, and means for intermittently rotating the `turret in timed relation with respect to operation of the stripping plate.

5. In a fruit handling machine, in combination, a rotatable turret, individual fruit supporting cups carried on said turret, stem gripping means for holding the fruit presented thereto in suspended position above said fruit supporting cups, a stripping plate positioned in alignment with said cups and straddling the stem of the suspended fruit for lengaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, actuating means for moving the stripping plate toward said supporting cups for stripping the fruit from the stem and for placing the fruit into said cups, and means for intermittently rotating-the turret in timed relation with respect to the operation of said stripping plate.

6. A stemming mechanism for fruit pitting machines comprising stationary means, pivotally mounted means on said stationary means including a stem engaging portion cooperating with the stationary means for engaging the stem of the fruit presented thereto for holding the fruit in suspended position on the stationary means, movable means associated with the stationary means and extending above the suspended fruit, means for holding the pivotally mounted means and movable means in inoperative position, and

means for operating the pivotally mounted means l and movable means for locking the stem of the .able means associated with the stationary means .9 and extending above the suspended fruit, means operatively interco-nnecting the movable means and said pivotally mounted means, meansfor holding the pivotally mounted means andY movable means in inoperative position, and common means for simultaneously operating the pivotally mounted means and movable means for locking the stem of the suspended fruit to the stationary means and for shifting the movable means in the direction of the suspended fruit for engaging the same and for stripping the fruit from the stem.

8. A stemming mechanism for fruit pitting ma.- chines, comprising a stationary plate, a pivotally mounted stem locking arm carried by said stationary plate and including a hook portion cooperating with said plate for engaging the stem. of the fruit presented thereto for holding the fruit in suspended position on the stationary plate, a serrated movable plate pivotally mounted with respect to the stationary plate and straddling the stem of the suspended fruit to extend over the stem end of the fruit, means for normally holding the stem locking arm and movable plate in inoperative position, and means for operating the locking arm and movable plate for locking the stem of the suspended fruit to thestationary plate and for shifting the movable plate in a direction toward the fruit for engaging the same and for stripping the fruit from the stem.

9. A stemming mechanism for fruit pitting machines comprising a stationary plate, a pivotally mounted stem locking arm carried by said stationary plate and including a hook portion cooperating with said plate for engaging the stem of the fruit presented thereto for holding the fruit in suspended position on the stationary plate, a serrated movable plate pivotally mounted with respect to the stationary plate and straddling the stem of the suspended fruit to extend over` the stem end of the fruit, means operatively interconnecting the movable plate and said locking arm, means for normally holding the stem locking arm and movable plate in inoperative position, and common actuatingmeans for simultaneously operating the locking arm and movable plate for locking the stem of the suspended fruit to the stationary plate and for shifting the movable plate in a direction toward the fruit for engaging the same and for stripping the fruit from the stem.

10. A stemming mechanism for fruit pitting machines comprising stationary means, means pivotally mounted on said stationary means including a stem engaging portion cooperating with the stationary means for engaging the stem of the fruit attached thereto and for holding the fruit in suspended position on the stationary means, movable means below the stationary means and extending above the suspended fruit, centering means on said movable means, means operatively interconnecting the movable means and pivotally mounted means, means for normally holding the pivotally mounted means and movable means in inoperative position, and means for simultaneously operating the pivotally mounted means and movable means for locking the stem of the suspended fruit to the stationary means and for shifting the movable means and said centering means in the direction of the suspended fruit for engaging and centering the fruit with respect to said movable means and for stripping the fruit from the stem.

11. In a fruit handling machine a stationary stem support, a movable locking arm cooperating with the stem support for engaging the stem of the fruit to suspend the fruit by its stem from said stem support, a stripping plate normally arranged below the stem support and straddling the stem of the suspended fruit, means mounting the stripping plate for movement downwardly into engagement with the suspended fruit to strip the same from the stem, and common means for operating said stripping plate and locking arm whereby to move the latter away from the stem support after the fruit is stripped from the stem to discharge the severed stem from the stem support.

12. A fruit stemming and orienting device comprising a fruit cup for receiving fruit in a predetermined position 'and for supporting the same in said position, a stem support for pendently supporting the fruit by its stem centrally above the fruit cup, fruit engaging means normally arranged adjacent the stem support and movable toward the fruit cup, and means for moving the fruit engaging means toward the fruit cup to plumb the stem axis of the fruit with respect to the fruit engaging means, strip the fruit from its stern and force the. plumbed fruit into positive engagement with said fruit cup. I K

13. In a fruit handling machine an orienting means comprising a fruit holder for receiving individual fruit in wedge-like fashion to hold said fruit in the position in which it is received, a stem support axially above the fruit holder for gripping the stem of a fruit and supporting the fruit in suspension on its stem, a stem stripper arranged for reciprocation between the stem supn port and the fruit holder and normally positioned adjacent the stem support to engage the stem end of the fruit upon downward movement, and means for imparting downward movement to the stem stripper to plumb the fruit relative to the fruit holder and subsequently pull the fruit from its stem while maintaining the fruit in plumbed condition and thereafter positively urge said fruit in plumbed condition into wedging engagement with the fruit holder in said plumbed condition.

14. In a fruit handling machine including a `fruit holder having a fruit engaging surface for wedgingly receiving an individual fruit to hold the same in the position in which it is received, stem holding means for pendently supporting the fruit by its stem above said fruit holder, stripping means straddling the stem of the suspended fruit and movable downwardly with respect to the holding means into engagement with the fruit to strip it from its stem andto propel it into wedging engagement with the fruit engaging surface of said fruit holder.

15. In a fruit handling device, an individual fruit holder, a stem supporting plate, a movable stem locking arm cooperating with the stem supporting plate to clamp the stem of fruit presented thereto over said supporting plate and against one side thereof for holding the fruit in suspended position therefrom above the fruit holder, a stripping plate associated with said stem supporting plate and normally spaced above the suspended fruit, means for moving the stripping plate downwardly toward said fruit to engage the stem end of the fruit for transferring s-aid fruit into the fruit holder, and means operatively connecting the stripping plate with the stem locking arm for eiecting movement of the latter with said stripping plate thereby imparting downward movement to the stem locking arm to urge the severed stem over the stem supporting plate and 111 downwardly relative thereto for dischargingthe severed stem therefrom 16. In a fruit Vhandling device, va stationary stem supporting plate,ra stem locking arm movable relative to the stem supporting plate and normally clamping the stemof the fruit over said supporting plate andagainstone side thereof for holding the fruit in suspended position therefrom, a stripping plate associated withsaid stem supporting plate and normally spacedabove the suspended fruit, means for moving the stripping plate downwardly into engagement with therfruit for stripping the same from-the stem, and means operatively connecting the stripping -plate with the .stem 4locking arm forl effecting .downward movementof thelatter incident .to theoperation of thestripping plate to urge .thesevered stem over the Astemsupporting ,plate and downwardly relative theretofor discharging said severedstem therefrom.

17. Ina fruit .handling machine, anindividual fruit holder,1stem supportingmeans yarranged to suspend a .fruit by itsstem above ,said holder, stripping means cooperating .withthe stem ysupporting means andstraddling the stem Vof Vthe suSpendedi'ruit,v and .means for movingthe stripping .means downwardly VAagainst .the vsuspended fruitto strip said fruit fromits stemand .transfer said. fruit ,to 4.the holder.

-18. In a fruit handling machine, anindividual fruit holder, stem .supporting means arranged to rsuspend the ,fruit .bylits stem .above .said .,holder,

stripping means cooperating with thestemsup- .portingmeans to .straddle the .stem ofthe suspended fruitmeans on .the stripping means for centering the fruit withrespecttosaid holding means incident .to `downwardmovement of .the stripping means toward .the fruit, and-means .for moving the stripping. meansY downwardly against the suspended fruit to striplsaidfruit from,.its stem andtransfer saidfruitto theholdingmeans.

19. In airuitlhandling machinein combination, individual fruit holding means having a fruit engaging surface for wedgingly receivingan individual fruit tolhold ,thesame in l,the ,position in which it is.receivedmeansfor engaging .,the stem of a fruitior holding the. latter in suspended position above.said fruit holdingmeans, rstripping means `for-.engaging the stem .end ofthe suspendedifruit. adjacent the point. of ,connection ofthe `stem with the fruit toalign the stem .verticallyabove the fruitV holding means, means for moving .the .stripping means .toward said .fruit holdingmeans to align the stem hlossomaxis of the fruit with respect to the said fruitholding means incident to strippingthefruit from its stem and maintain the stem blossom axis of the fruit aligned withthe vertical axis of the fruit.hold ing means while transferring the fruit into wedging engagement with the fruitengaging surface of said fruit holding means.

20. A fruit handling machine comprising means for wedgingly receiving fruit to-ho1d the same in the position in which it is received,means for gripping the stem of a fruit to pendently support the same above the fruit receiving means, means for positioning the fruit end of the stem vertically above the fruit receiving means, and means for moving the stem positioning means with respect to the gripping means to engage the stem end of the fruit-and align the stemblossom axis of the fruit with respect to the vertical axis vof the fruit receivingmeans vand thereafter push said fruit 01T its stem andinto Wedging engagement with-said fruit receiving means.

21. A fruit 'handling machine `comprising 'a fruit holder for supporting-a piece lofV fruit, means for gripping the stem of the fruit andsuspending the fruit free ofthe fruit holder, land means movable with respect to the gripping means for aligning the fruit with its stem blossom.axisdisposed substantially coincident with the axis of'the 'fruit holder and for pushing the fruit While insaid position off its stem and into the fruit holder.

22. A fruit handling machine comprising a fruit holder for supporting a piece of` fruit, means for gripping the stem of a'fruitpresented thereto and suspending the fruit abovethe fruit holder, and means movable -in ,timed relation to said gripping means for'engaging the stem endof the fruit for straightening the stem and for aligning the fruit with its stem blossom axis disposed substantially coincident with the axis of thefruit holder.

23. A fruit handling machine comprising a fruit holder for supportinga piece of fruit, means for receiving the stem of, afruit presented thereto, means for clamping the free end of the stem against the receiving meansrand suspending the fruit in position above said fruit holder, means straddling the stemof the suspended fruit and movable with yrespect to said Aclamping means `for engaging the stem end of the suspended fruit to straighten the stem and for aligning the stem blossom axis of the fruit with the axis of ,the fruit holder.

24. A fruit handling machine comprising a fruitfholder for supporting apiece of fruit, means for gripping the stem of a fruit presented thereto and suspending the fruit above the fruit holder, means movable with-respect tothe stempgripping means for engaging the fruit for stripping it from the stem and lforplacing it in the fruit holder, said stripping means including a centering surface for aligning the stem -blossom'axis of the fruit with-the vertical axis ofthe fruit holder an'd for maintaining the fruit in said aligned position during the placing `of the fruit into said holder.

'BURTON C. COONS. 

